Page 60 of Embrace the Serpent

12

On the far side of Copperton, at the junction where the Imperial Road resumed its southward journey, was the sort of roadside watering hole made for those who did not plan on lingering. Several groups huddled in the courtyard, some bent over their meals, some brushing and watering their horses and camels. There were three wagons, one shabby but large carriage, a sleek mail carriage, and an oxcart.

“The mail carriage is no good,” Rane said as he tore a bit of fried bread and used it to mop up a mouthful of spiced cream sauce. “That’s the first place they’ll look. Every last one of them will be stopped and checked by the guards.” That was a pity. The mail carriage’s horses had jewels embedded in their bridles and in the metal of their hooves. I couldn’t be sure without examining them, but I would have wagered the pale jewels in their horseshoes made them extra swift.

“What about them?” I nodded at a vicious-looking trio, all of whom boasted nasty scars and the kind of facial hair that seemed unkempt but was really carefully designed to appear menacing. “They’ve got a wagon, and it looks fast. They’ll take a fair bit of coin, but I think you’re good for that, and we probably should sleep in shifts.”

“Themercenaries? You can’t be serious,” Rane said. “They’ll cutour throats if they find out who we are.”

“I wasn’t planning on telling them,” I said. “Were you?”

His nose scrunched up, and he busied himself with his food. “How about them?”

I followed his gaze. Five women in priestess robes, ranging in age from one-foot-in-the-next-life to a rosy-cheeked young teen.

“No, definitely not,” I said.

Rane quirked an amused brow. “Come on. They look nice.”

I raised both my brows. “Look a little closer.”

One of the priestesses shifted, and the folds of her robe fell open. She quickly corrected herself, concealing again the belt and daggers wrapped around her waist.

“Those,” I said, “arebettermercenaries.”

Rane gave me a look. “How did you know that?”

“I was paying attention,” I said. Grimney maneuvered himself halfway out of my pocket to take a look and I patted his head.

“I’ve underestimated you again,” Rane said quietly.

Again? I glanced at him.

His expression was soft, open. “It was brave, what you did for us.”

Embarrassment made an invisible barrier that kept my gaze from going higher than his chin. “It wasn’t me, really. It was all the Serpent King.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“You freed yourselves. I just gave the signal. And the Serpent King cast that illusion.”

“Is it so hard to take a compliment?”

“You’re better at it, you know. Illusions.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“You’re very loyal.”

“And you truly despise him.”

His words struck a wrong note. “What is he like, when he’s with you? Is he cruel?”

Rane stiffened. “He must appear so, to keep his people safe.”

“But is he?”

“I... don’t know. He can be.” He took a deep breath. “If it matters, I don’t like him much either.”